Wake Forest Game A Homecoming For Grace

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Michael Grace will get to spend a little longer at home during the holidays than the rest of his Yale men's basketball teammates. The Bulldogs' next game is at Wake Forest on Dec. 29 in Winston-Salem, N.C., Grace's hometown.

Grace, a junior at Yale, was an all-state selection as a senior at Mt. Tabor after averaging 19.6 points, 8.4 assist and 4.3 steals. He helped lead Mt. Tabor to the NCHSAA 4A state championship as a senior and was a three-time all-conference selection.

Grace, who has started the last four games for the Bulldogs, expects to have a large contingent of supporters at the Wake Forest game.

"My dad I have been getting a list together for the past two days, and we are up to about 80 names and counting," Grace said earlier this week. "A lot of people are extremely excited for this game."

The Joel Coliseum, Wake Forest's home court, is a familiar venue for Grace. Mt. Tabor played in a holiday tournament there in each of his four years, winning the title three times. Grace also was a frequent visitor for Demon Deacon games.

"I couldn't even begin to count how many Wake games I've attended through the years," said Grace, who is averaging 6.1 points for Yale this season. "My dad has always been a Wake fan and involved with the team, and as I grew older, I began to develop relationships with the coaches and players."

Grace's father, Michael, who played at North Carolina-Asheville and still holds the school's record for assists in a season, attended Wake Forest for law school and is a member of the alumni board. In addition, Grace's step mother is a law professor at the school.

Two of Grace's high school teammates at Mt. Tabor, C.J. Harris and Brooks Godwin, play at Wake Forest.

"C.J. and I speak almost every day. Brooks and I don't speak as often but we still remain in contact," Grace said.

Grace and his Yale teammates will bring a six-game winning streak into the game.